Bottle assembly

ABSTRACT

A bottle assembly includes an inner vessel and an outer vessel. The outer vessel is adapted for holding a liquid, and has an open mouth through which the liquid is poured. The inner vessel is received within the open mouth of the outer vessel, and is adapted for storing contents separate from the liquid contained in the outer vessel. The bottom wall of the inner vessel is adapted for being ruptured when the inner vessel is positioned within the open mouth of the outer vessel, such that contents stored in the inner vessel can mix with the liquid contained in the outer vessel without removing the inner vessel from the outer vessel.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This application relates to a bottle assembly. The invention utilizesmultiple vessels to separately store contents which are subsequentlyeither mixed together and consumed, or consumed one after the other. Inthe liquor industry, the invention offers a creative marketing strategyin the sale of alcoholic beverages by separately containing the liquorand mixer in a single, convenient assembly. The invention is alsoapplicable for separately storing powder or syrup concentrates containedin the inner vessel, and intended for mixing with water contained in theouter vessel. For application to the pharmaceutical industry, the innervessel may contain over-the-counter or prescription medicine intended tobe taken with water or other beverage stored in the outer vessel. Noother existing product offers the conveniences of the present assembly.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a bottle assemblywhich utilizes inner and outer vessels for separately storing contentsin a single, convenient assembly.

It is another object of the invention to provide a bottle assembly whichincludes an inner vessel that is retained inside an outer vessel by athreaded cap, and which is readily removed from the outer vessel uponremoval of the cap.

It is another object of the invention to provide a bottle assembly whichincludes an outer vessel that closely resembles a conventional 12 or 16ounce plastic bottle.

It is another object of the invention to provide a bottle assembly whichallows convenient mixing of contents stored in the inner and outervessels.

It is another object of the invention to provide a bottle assemblywherein the inner and outer vessels are both sealed prior to use.

It is another object of the invention to provide a bottle assemblywherein the contents of the inner vessel are mixed with the contents ofthe outer vessel by inserting the contents of the inner vessel directlyinto the outer vessel.

It is another object of the invention to provide a bottle assembly whichis relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method for packagingan alcoholic beverage.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in thepreferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a bottle assemblyincluding an inner vessel and an outer vessel. The outer vessel isadapted for holding a liquid, and has an open mouth through which theliquid is poured. The inner vessel is received within the open mouth ofthe outer vessel, and is adapted for storing contents separate from theliquid contained in the outer vessel. Means are provided for rupturing abottom wall of the inner vessel when the inner vessel is positionedwithin the open mouth of the outer vessel. Contents stored in the innervessel can thereby mix with the liquid contained in the outer vesselwithout removing the inner vessel from the outer vessel.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the outervessel is formed of plastic.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, theoutervessel has a relatively narrow neck formed adjacent the mouth.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the neck hasan external screw thread.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the assemblyincludes a removable cap with an internal screw thread adapted formating with the external thread of the neck.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the innervessel has an outwardly-extending annular flange adapted for sitting atthe mouth of the outer vessel to suspend the inner vessel inside theouter vessel.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the innervessel has a flexible cover extending over an open top thereof, andadapted for being peeled away by a user to access the contents of theinner vessel.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the coverhas a pull tab adapted for being gripped by the user to remove the coverfrom the inner vessel.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the innervessel has a flexible spring cover extending over an open top thereof,and adapted for abrupt conversion from a convex to a concave conditionrelative to the open top.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the meansfor rupturing the bottom wall of the inner vessel includes a verticalplunger adapted for being actuated by the spring cover upon conversionfrom its convex to concave condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Otherobjects and advantages of the invention will appear as the descriptionproceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the bottle assembly according to onepreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the bottle assembly;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the bottle assembly with thetop shown in partial cross-section;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the bottle assembly with thetop shown in partial cross-section, and prior to actuation of the springcover and plunger;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the bottle assembly with thetop shown in partial cross-section, and showing the bottom wall of theinner vessel ruptured after actuation of the spring cover and plunger;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the innervessel illustrating theperforated bottom wall; and

FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are sequential views demonstrating the process forremoving the inner vessel from the outer vessel, and accessing thecontents of the inner vessel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE

Referring now specifically to the drawings, a bottle assembly accordingto the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1, and shown generallyat reference numeral 10. The bottle assembly 10 is especially applicablefor separately storing contents which are intended to be either mixedtogether immediately prior to use, or consumed by the user one after theother. The contents are provided in inner and outer vessels 11 and 12,respectively. In one application, for example, the inner vessel 11contains one to two ounces of liquor with the outer vessel 12 containinga non-alcoholic mixer. In a further application, the inner vessel 11 maycontain a flavored powder or syrup concentrate adapted for mixing withwater contained in the outer vessel 12. In yet another application, theinner vessel may 11 contain a pharmaceutical, such as aspirin, while theouter vessel 12 contains a beverage, such as water. Preferably, theouter vessel 12 resembles a conventional plastic beverage bottle havinga relatively large body 14, a relatively narrow threaded neck 15, and anopen mouth 16 through which the beverage is poured. A removable,internally-threaded cap 18 mates with the threaded neck 15 to cover theopen mouth 16 of the outer vessel 12 prior to use.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inner vessel 11 is stored inside theouter vessel 12, and includes a slightly tapered body 21 and anoutwardly-extending annular flange 22. The vessel flange 22 sits at themouth 16 of the outer vessel 12, as shown in FIG. 3, and supports theinner vessel 11 in a suspended condition inside the outer vessel 12 inan area of the neck 15. A peel-away, normally convex, flexible springcover 24 is located over the open top of the inner vessel 11, and has anintegrally-formed peripheral flange 24A releasably sealed to the vesselflange 22 using, for example, a light contact adhesive. The cover 24preserves the contents of the inner vessel 11 prior to use, andpreferably has a pull tab 25 which is designed to be gripped by the userfor easy removal. When assembled as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the coverflange 24A is closely engaged by the threaded cap 18 which retains theinner vessel 11 and further seals the contents of the outer vessel 12during shipping.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6, an elongated, rigid, vertical plunger26 is attached to an underside of the spring cover 24. The plunger 26preferably depends vertically from a center point of the spring cover24. A round foot 27 is formed at the free end of the plunger, andnormally resides directly adjacent a perforated paper bottom 28 of theinner vessel 11, as indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The user actuates theplunger 26 by depressing the spring cover 24 causing the spring cover 24to convert abruptly from its normally convex condition, shown in FIG. 4to a concave condition shown in FIG. 5. This movement causes the foot 27of the plunger 26 to break through the paper bottom 28 of the innervessel 11. Preferably, the bottom wall 28 ruptures at pre-cut radialperforation lines 29 (FIG. 6) forming an opening 30 which allows eitherliquid or dry contents (e.g., powder or tablet) of the inner vessel 11to conveniently mix with that of the outer vessel 12. After rupturingthe bottom wall 28 of the inner vessel 11, the cap 18 may be reappliedto the outer vessel 12 and the bottle assembly 10 shaken to thoroughlymix the contents together. In this case, contents mixing is achievedwithout ever separating the inner 11 and outer vessels 12. Beforedrinking the mixed contents, the emptied inner vessel 11 is removed anddiscarded.

In an alternative application of the present bottle assembly 10,demonstrated in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, the inner vessel 11 may first beremoved from the outer vessel 12 to access contents of the inner vessel11. The inner vessel 11 is removed by first unscrewing the cap 18 fromthe threaded neck 15. The inner vessel 11 is then lifted from the outervessel 12, and the contents of the inner vessel 11 accessed by peelingaway the cover 24 using the pull tab 25. Once uncovered, the contents ofthe inner vessel 11 may be poured directly into the outer vessel 12 formixing, or may be consumed by the user before or after drinking thecontents of the outer vessel 12.

A bottle assembly is described above. Various details of the inventionmay be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, theforegoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention andbest mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose ofillustration only and not for the purpose of limitation-the inventionbeing defined by the claims.

1. A bottle assembly, comprising: (a) an outer vessel adapted forholding a liquid, and having an open mouth through which the liquid ispoured; (b) an inner vessel received within the open mouth of said outervessel, and adapted for storing contents separate from the liquidcontained in said outer vessel; and (c) means for rupturing a bottomwall of said inner vessel when said inner vessel is positioned withinthe open mouth of said outer vessel, whereby contents stored in saidinner vessel can mix with the liquid contained in said outer vesselwithout removing said inner vessel from said outer vessel.
 2. A bottleassembly according to claim 1, wherein said outer vessel is formed ofplastic.
 3. A bottle assembly according to claim 1, wherein said outervessel comprises a relatively narrow neck formed adjacent said mouth. 4.A bottle assembly according to claim 3, wherein said neck comprises anexternal screw thread.
 5. A bottle assembly according to claim 4, andcomprising a removable cap having an internal screw thread adapted formating with the external thread of said neck.
 6. A bottle assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein said inner vessel comprises anoutwardly-extending annular flange adapted for sitting at the mouth ofsaid outer vessel to suspend said inner vessel inside said outer vessel.7. A bottle assembly according to claim 1, wherein said inner vesselcomprises a flexible cover extending over an open top thereof, andadapted for being peeled away by a user to access the contents of saidinner vessel.
 8. A bottle assembly according to claim 7, wherein saidcover has a pull tab adapted for being gripped by the user to remove thecover from said inner vessel.
 9. A bottle assembly according to claim 1,wherein said inner vessel comprises a flexible spring cover extendingover an open top thereof, and adapted for abrupt conversion from aconvex to a concave condition relative to the open top.
 10. A bottleassembly according to claim 1, wherein said means for rupturing thebottom wall of said inner vessel comprises a vertical plunger adaptedfor being actuated by said spring cover upon conversion from its convexto concave condition.
 11. A bottle assembly, comprising: (a) an outervessel adapted for holding a liquid, and having an open mouth throughwhich the liquid is poured and a relatively narrow neck formed adjacentthe open mouth; (b) an inner vessel received within the open mouth ofsaid outer vessel and residing inside the outer vessel within an area ofthe relatively narrow neck, said inner vessel adapted for storingcontents separate from the liquid contained in said outer vessel; (c)means for rupturing a bottom wall of said inner vessel when said innervessel is positioned within the open mouth of said outer vessel, wherebycontents stored in said inner vessel can mix with the liquid containedin said outer vessel without removing said inner vessel from said outervessel; and (d) a removable cap adapted for covering the open mouth ofsaid outer vessel.
 12. A bottle assembly according to claim 11, whereinsaid outer vessel is formed of plastic.
 13. A bottle assembly accordingto claim 11, wherein said inner vessel comprises an outwardly-extendingannular flange adapted for sitting at the mouth of said outer vessel tosuspend said inner vessel inside said outer vessel.
 14. A bottleassembly according to claim 11, wherein said inner vessel comprises aflexible cover extending over an open top thereof, and adapted for beingpeeled away by a user to access the contents of said inner vessel.
 15. Abottle assembly according to claim 14, wherein said cover has a pull tabadapted for being gripped by the user to remove the cover from saidinner vessel.
 16. A bottle assembly according to claim 11, wherein saidinner vessel comprises a flexible spring cover extending over an opentop thereof, and adapted for abrupt conversion from a convex to aconcave condition relative to the open top.
 17. A bottle assemblyaccording to claim 16, wherein said means for rupturing the bottom wallof said inner vessel comprises a vertical plunger adapted for beingactuated by said spring cover upon conversion from its convex to concavecondition.
 18. A bottle assembly, comprising: (a) an outer vesseladapted for holding a liquid, and having an open mouth through which theliquid is poured and a relatively narrow neck formed adjacent the openmouth; (b) an inner vessel received within the open mouth of said outervessel and comprising an outwardly-extending annular flange adapted forsitting at the mouth of said outer vessel to suspend said inner vesselinside said outer vessel in area of the relatively narrow neck, saidinner vessel adapted for storing contents separate from the liquidcontained in said outer vessel; (c) a flexible spring cover extendingover an open top of said inner vessel and adapted for abrupt conversionfrom a convex to a concave condition relative to the open top; (d) avertical plunger adapted for being actuated by said spring cover uponconversion from its convex to concave condition, such that uponactuation, said plunger ruptures a bottom wall of said inner vessel,whereby contents stored in said inner vessel can mix with the liquidcontained in said outer vessel without removing said inner vessel fromsaid outer vessel; and (e) a removable cap adapted for covering the openmouth of said outer vessel.